Connecticut Medical Marijuana Laws

Connecticut Marijuana Laws

Distribution or cultivation includes possession with intent to distribute or cultivate marijuana in the state of Connecticut. Those who are arrested in result of distribution or cultivation will be punished to the fullest extent of the law based on the marijuana penalties and guidelines in Connecticut outlined below.

Connecticut Cultivation & Distribution Laws

For first offenders distribution or cultivation of under 1 kilogram of marijuana is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 and/or up to 7 years of imprisonment. Subsequent offenses are punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and/or up to 15 years of imprisonment.

The court may prescribe an alternative sentence of up to 3 years imprisonment. The offender may then be released at any time during those 3 years and placed on probation for the remainder of their term.

First Time Offenders

For first offenders distribution or cultivation of greater than 1 kilogram of marijuana is punishable by 5-20 years of imprisonment. Subsequent offenses are punishable by up 10-20 years of imprisonment. The court cannot reduce a sentence below the minimum years of prison time required by the statute, this means that first offenders face a minimum of 5 years imprisonment and subsequent offenders a minimum of 10 years imprisonment. The court may make exceptions to these mandatory minimum sentences if the defendant is under 18 or is/was mentally impaired.

For non-violent first offenders, the court may depart from the mandatory minimum sentence if a particular reason is stated.

Marijuana Connecticut Information

Distribution or cultivation of marijuana within 1,500 feet of an elementary/middle school, public housing project, or daycare center is punishable by an additional 3 years imprisonment on top of any other sentence imposed.

Distribution of marijuana by a person 18 years or older to a person under 18 is punishable by an additional 2 years imprisonment, on top of any other sentence imposed. There is an exception to this rule if the distributor is less than 2 years older than the minor.

Using a person under 18 years of age to assist in the sale of marijuana is punishable by 3 years imprisonment, on top of any other sentence already imposed.

Note: Any item used for the cultivation or distribution of marijuana is subject to forfeiture. This includes vehicles or aircraft that are used to transport marijuana for the purpose of distributing it.

Connecticut Marijuana Possession Penalties

Possession of less than one-half ounce of marijuana by a first time offender carries a civil penalty of $150.

Possession of less than one-half ounce for subsequent offenses carries a penalty of a civil fine between $200 and $500.

Possession of more than one-half ounce of marijuana but less than four ounces of marijuana by a first time offender can be punished with a prison term not to exceed one year and a $1,000 fine.

Possession of more than one-half ounce of marijuana but less than four ounces of marijuana after a first offense carries a penalty of imprisonment for a term not to exceed five years and a fine not to exceed $3,000.

For first offenders, possession of more than 4 ounces of marijuana is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 and/or up to 5 years of imprisonment. Subsequent offenses are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to 10 years of imprisonment.

Connecticut Marijuana Paraphernalia Penalties

Possession of paraphernalia with the intent to use it to cultivate, distribute or inhale/ingest more than one-half ounce of marijuana is a class C misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 3 months imprisonment and a fine of up to $500.

Distributing paraphernalia or possessing it with the intent to distribute it is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a $2,000 civil fine. In order to be guilty of this crime the defendant must know or should have known that the item would be used to cultivate, distribute, or inhale/ingest more than one-half ounce of marijuana.

Paraphernalia possession or distribution intended to manufacture or ingest less than one-half ounce of marijuana is a civil infraction, which will result in a fine of between $100-$300 (including administrative costs).

Distributing or possessing paraphernalia within 1,500 feet of an elementary/middle school is punishable by an additional 1 year of imprisonment.

Offense

Penalty

Incarceration

Max. Fine

Possession

Personal Use:

Less than 1/2 oz (first offense)

civil penalty

N/A

$150

Less than 1/2 oz (subsequent offense)

civil penalty

N/A

$500

1/2 - 4 oz (first offense)

civil penalty

1 year

$1,000

1/2 - 4 oz (subsequent offense)

civil penalty

5 years

$3,000

More than 4 oz (first offense)

civil penalty

5 years

$2,000

More than 4 oz (subsequent offense)

civil penalty

10 years

$5,000

Distribution or Cultivation

Less than 1 kilogram (first offense)

felony

7 years

$25,000

Less than 1 kilogram (subsequent offense)

felony

15 years

$100,000

More than 1 kilogram (first offense)

felony

5* - 20 years

$25,000

More than 1 kilogram (subsequent offense)

felony

10* - 20 years

$100,000

Within 1,500 feet of an elementary/middle school, public housing project, or daycare center is punishable by an additional 3 years imprisonment.

By a person 18 years or older to a person under 18 is punishable by an additional 2 years imprisonment.

Distribution or cultivation includes possession with intent to distribute or cultivate marijuana.

*Mandatory minimum sentence

Hash & Concentrates

Penalties for hashish are the same as for marijuana. Please see the marijuana penalties section for further details.

Paraphernalia

With the intent to use it to cultivate, distribute or inhale/ingest less than 1/2 oz

civil infraction

N/A

$300

With the intent to use it to cultivate, distribute or inhale/ingest more than 1/2 oz

misdemeanor

3 mos

$500

Distributing paraphernalia or possessing with the intent to distribute

misdemeanor

1 year

$2,000

Distributing or possessing paraphernalia within 1500 feet of an elementary/middle school is punishable by an additional 1 year of imprisonment.

Forfeiture

Any item used for the cultivation or distribution of marijuana is subject to forfeiture.